Frozen Shoulder

To diagnose frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), your healthcare provider will discuss your symptoms and review your medical history. They’ll also perform a physical exam of your arms and shoulders. They’ll:

Move your shoulder in all directions to check your range of motion and if there’s pain with movement. This type of exam, in which your provider moves your arm, is called determining your “passive range of motion.”
Watch you move your shoulder to see your “active range of motion.”
Compare the two types of motion. People with frozen shoulder have a limited range of both active and passive motion.

Your provider will likely order shoulder X-rays to make sure the cause of your symptoms isn’t due to another problem with your shoulder, like arthritis. You usually don’t need advanced imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound to diagnose frozen shoulder. But your provider may request them to look for other problems, like a rotator cuff tear.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.